The tallest heron in Australia, standing motionless for long periods before striking with its spear-like bill.
Not listed
Indigenous: Blukrein, Gargunja, Gawugmanja, Garwagarwagan, Maanhag, Golu, O-Gomorlo, Gomorlo, White-Necked Crane, Pacific Heron
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatCoastal waters, beaches, estuaries, harbours, islands, and offshore waters depending on season.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
10899visible hotspots
165335visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In flight shows white
Behavior
Best separated by flight shape, wing action, and feeding style over open water rather than by long views on land.
Gallery
Regional timing
Western Australia
Queensland
New South Wales
Northern Territory
South Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory